When Lego Comes to Life on the Screen (and Vice Versa)
In a world where video games usually require expensive controllers and powerful equipment, a German engineer decided to go back to basics: the classic Lego blocks. Erik Liermann created a game where physical pieces control the digital action, proving that innovation can come in boxes of checkered plastic.
"Finally a game where stepping on a piece is part of the experience, not a painful accident"
The Bridge Between Physical and Digital
This peculiar system works through computer vision that detects Lego constructions in real time. The possibilities are as broad as the imagination:
- Build a bridge on the table and it appears on screen
- Place a tower to activate mechanisms in the game
- Construction errors have virtual consequences
An Experiment with a Father's Heart
Behind this innovation is a heartwarming family motivation:
- Combine quality time with his daughter
- Reduce screen time
- Teach basic concepts of physics and programming
- Keep traditional play alive
The Future We Could Build
Although for now it's just a personal project, the possibilities are endless:
- Educational games that require physical construction
- New ways to interact with virtual worlds
- Collaborative experiences between multiple players
This invention demonstrates that sometimes the best ideas come from combining the old with the new. Who would have thought that those blocks that always ended up under the sofa could be the controllers of the future 🧱